Jean Hanff Korelitz’s 2021 novel The Plot was a take down of the writing and publishing profession. In it, failed writer Jake Finch Bonner steals the plot outline of one of his writing students who has died and uses it to create his own best seller. Only someone knows that he stole the story and as he becomes more famous his life starts to spiral out of control. What better way to continue to send up the publishing industry than by writing a sequel to The Plot called… The Sequel in which the sins that drove the first novel continue to haunt the present. Given this is a sequel there may be spoilers in this review for The Plot
The Sequel opens following Jake’s suicide. His wife, Anna Williams-Bonner has taken up publicity duty for his book Crib and while doing so is encouraged to write a book of her own. So she does, basing it on her experiences in dealing with suicide. And Anna’s book The Afterword, also becomes a best seller. But Anna knows all too well the secrets that sit beneath Jake’s success and when she starts getting pages of the original manuscript, she realises that she needs to take action.
It is no surprise that the small college that Jake taught writing at is called Ripley College. Because Anna, much more so than Jake, is very much a character in the vein on Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley. In that she has never balked at doing whatever it takes to retain what she thinks is rightfully hers.
As with The Plot, the thriller element is not really the draw here. Korelitz has a lot of fun once again skewering the publishing industry. From book tours, to signing queues, to vanity projects, to sequels themselves (every chapter of the book if named using the name of a sequel – some of which readers will recognise but just in case there is a full list at the end). That said, in many ways, The Sequel works better than The Plot, in its character arc. This is probably because while Jake had a conscience and was driven partly by guilt, Anna has no such regulator so is more fun (in a dark way) to spend to time with.

The Sequel
By Jean Hanff Korelitz

It has been so long since I read "The Plot" I could barely remember the characters, never mind the twists and turns. Since then I have read and loved "The Latecomer" and watched and enjoyed the TV adaptation of "You Should Have Known" which was titled " The Undoing". While "The Plot" didn't stick with me, I still wanted to read "The Sequel" because of something I have come to admire about this author, voice. If I find the voice interesting I will almost always enjoy the reading experience.

This is a difficult book to review without spoilers, and extra difficult without spoiling the previous book, so all I will say is that I didn't lose out for not remembering the ins and outs of the first in the series. The author works all that into the sequel. It doesn't matter anyway because you know to expect another set of devious twists.

Better than The Plot. Slightly ludicrous but the voice and the writing get it over the line for me.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review purposes

A thoroughly enjoyable sequel to The Plot, this was one I read in just a couple of sittings. Highly enjoyable, well written and a whip smart plot, Korelitz is one of my go-to authors. For book lovers, what could be better than a clever satirical thriller about a blockbuster novel, written by a heretofore unknown author, who just happens to be the widow of recently deceased author, Jacob Finch Bonner. I’d highly recommend this read and look forward to #3 in the series.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @faberbooks for the advance copy in return for my honest review. 4 stars

I am a bit of a latecomer to Jean Hanff Korelitz’s books, having only read The Plot and The Latecomer in the past year. Both I found to be engrossing stories so was keen to request The Sequel when I saw it in Netgalley.

The Sequel follows on from The Plot (and this is a case if you must read The Plot first!) and widow Anna’s flourishing literary career. However, the harassment that followed her husband in the first book continues and sees her retracing her past to find the person threatening her carefully plotted life.

Overall I found this to be a gripping thriller and an enjoyable read. At some points in the story I identify with fellow reviewers who felt it slightly repetitive of the first novel but this didn’t detract from me enjoying the story. The only question I’m left with is who was harassing and threatening Jake before his death? I don’t think this was cleared up in this story unless I’ve missed it. The people Anna tracks down at points during this story can’t have been the ones harassing him due to the timeline of the story? Hard to explain without spoilers!

A storyline that is difficult to categorise. A protagonist who carries revenge far and above the original cause to the point of indescribable vengeance against anyone and everyone that may or may not have not only crossed her path but crossed her in a real or imagined slight. A clever and calculated mind focused on the method, means and drive towards annihilation of those who may have done her a perceived injustice whilst failing to accurately pinpoint the person or action before termination. One woman acting without any moral compass yet this author enthralling the reader with a complex convoluted plot line that has no equal compelling the reader to turn each page dumbfounded at the machinations of a dangerously out of control psychopath . A worthy sequel to a previous 5* read. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for ARC.

There will be spoilers in this review if you haven't read The Plot and you need to read The Plot if you want this sequel to make sense.

I'm afraid I'm going against public opinion. For me, this book was just a re-run of the brilliant Plot. Instead of Jake we have his widow, Anna. Anna has written a best seller - because it's clearly easy peasy. Anna is getting notes threatening to expose her husband's plagiarism. Anna is the one who has to go haring around the same places as Jake to find out who is threatening Jake's reputation and therefore her life. But of course Anna has way more to lose because she's the whole reason Crib was written in the first place.

Now, in itself this might be okay. However out of the whole book I think we had the plot of the original novel written by Evan Parker regurgitated (in slightly differing variations) in about 4 or maybe 5 different places by different people. The need for everyone in this seemingly endless novel to explain exactly what they know was clearly some kind of contagious OCD.

By the time I had started skimming through (around two thirds of the way through) I couldn't have cared less what happened to any of the vile characters.

That is how I felt by the end - that we had wandered into fantasy land. Anna barely ate a mouthful of food for about 3 days and yet had the strength to wield a shovel (after digging for hours) to deadly effect, drive up country (1100 miles), and kill again was the most insane denouement.

I don't know whose idea it was to release the same book twice but, for me, it was a waste.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Faber & Faber for the advance review copy. I'm only sorry I didn't love it as much as The Plot.

the sequel - jean hanff korelitz

when i read the plot a couple of years ago I was blown away - it was an instant 5 star read - with all those twists and turns, it couldn't be anything else.
i wasn't sure that jean hanff korelitz could top it, but the sequel is every bit as twisty and thrilling.
of course, I can't give too much away (seriously, go read the plot and then read this!) but the sequel is every bit as thrilling and surprising. I wasn't sure it was possible to hate a character any more but it turns out you can - especially when she becomes the main one.

I'll be honest, when I first started this, I wasn't sure it was necessary - the plot was perfection after all, but after a few chapters, I was all in. the sequel isn't anything new, we're following some of the same people and what happened in the plot is still taking place but some outstanding questions were answered and the sequel really makes the reading of this duology a much richer experience.

the sequel is out now.
thank you to @netgalley for the early copy.

There's a line in "The Sequel" which explains why authors tend to write sequels for books that can be left standalone... “Sequels can be very enticing when the initial book has done well. Readers want to know what happens to a character they’ve connected with.” And yes, The Plot was good enough... but not sure it warranted a sequel itself... Whilst The Sequel benefits from not being shackled from the "best novel ever written" subplot of the first book, it doesn't feel a necessary exploration of what happens next. Good enough to spend the time, but one you could perfectly live without. 3 out of 5. Thanks Netgalley for the advanced copy.

One of the more interesting mysteries that I have read in that the plot unravels in an unusual way. It begins with the widow of a celebrated writer writing her own first book “Afterword” that describes her grief over the death of her husband and it becomes a best-seller. This means she is doing book tours all around the country. But she starts getting excerpts of another book from an unidentified person that threatens to derail her career at the very least. I really enjoyed this different take on plot.

EXCERPT: 'But . . . this is terrible,' Anna said. She was beginning to feel distinctly unwell.
'Yeah. It said the person Jale stole it from was dead, but he finished most of his novel before he died.'
'As opposed to after he died?' said Matilda with abundant sarcasm. 'Well, at least we're not dealing with somebody who's channeling a dead novelist. That is so not on my bucket list. And also: Most of a novel? This is one of the most elastic words I've ever encountered. You know how many times I've asked an author how much of their book is finished? 'Most of it!''
'Well, that's what it said.'
Matilda extracted an oyster from the uppermost tier, put it on her own plate, and seemed to lose interest in it.
'And the manuscript excerpt that came with the cover letter?' Anna asked. 'It was part of this mostly finished book?'
'Well, so I assume. A section of the theoretical masterpiece that Jake supposedly stole Crib from.' She rolled her eyes.
Anna was feeling it now, the dread. It had begun at the back of her throat and was pulsing its way through her, electric and dull.
'And . . . was it a masterpiece?' she heard herself ask.
The two of them looked at each other.
'It wasn't terrible,' said Matilda, who had apparently seen it, too. 'The writing was competent. But I think I speak for both of us when I say we don't care about the writing. We care that it was sent to Macmillan with a cover letter accusing our late author of plagiarism. Well, maybe 'care' isn't the right word. I'm so completely pissed that we have to deal with this again.'

ABOUT 'THE SEQUEL': Anna Williams-Bonner has taken care of business—that is to say, she’s taken care of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and laid to rest those anonymous accusations of plagiarism that so tormented him. Now she is living the contented life of a literary widow, enjoying her husband’s royalty checks in perpetuity, but for the second time in her life, a work of fiction intercedes, and this time it’s her own debut novel, The Afterword. After all, how hard can it really be to write a universally lauded bestseller?

But when Anna publishes her book and indulges in her own literary acclaim, she begins to receive excerpts of a novel she never expected to see again, a novel that should no longer exist. Something has gone wrong, and someone out there knows far too much: about her late brother, her late husband, and just possibly... about Anna herself. What does this person want, and what are they prepared to do? She has come too far, and worked too hard, to lose what she values most: the sole and uncontested right to her own story—and she is, by any standard, a master storyteller.

MY THOUGHTS: I liked The Plot, but didn't love it. The Sequel I love 💖 But please be aware you do need to read The Plot prior to reading The Sequel.

Anna is the focus of The Sequel. Although I knew she was rotten to the core, I couldn't help rooting for her! She is a psychopath through and through. She has zero conscience and is able to blend beautifully into society, playing the grieving widow with aplomb, manipulating and playing to her own advantage everyone she comes in contact with.

She has left her past behind her, she likes her new life; but it seems she hasn't been quite as thorough as she thought in eliminating threats to her future. They just keep on coming . . .

The Sequel had me on the edge of my seat as Anna dealt with the threats in Anna's own unique style.

I sincerely hope we haven't seen the last of Anna.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.6

#TheSequel #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Jean Hanff Korelitz was born to Jewish parents and raised in New York City. While living in England, Korelitz met Irish poet, Paul Muldoon. They married, have two children and reside in Korelitz's native New York City.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Faber and Faber Ltd via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This was ok. Was a bit slow for me. Thanks for the opportunity to review but not great would not recommend

It has been over three years since I read the first book in this series and I cannot lie, even though it was a five star book for me, I couldn't remember the plot (many books and many sleeps since then). I tried to refresh myself a little, but my review was rather mysterious because I hadn't wanted to give away any spoilers. I spent the first portion of The Sequel feeling a little confused and wishing that I had re-read The Plot, but then the book cleverly took me back and weaved in what ended up being a fantastic playback/reminder.

This was the trigger that made me remember how smart the plot was put together and how the twists, secrets and lies were put together and then gradually unravelled. The Sequel was no different and I loved how the story developed in front of me. This was a slow burn of a thriller with so many small details dropped in that seems inconsequential, but later came back as important threads.

We follow a different main character in this book and she was not a likeable character in the slightest. Anna started off as someone who appeared to be callous and scheming, but by the end I perceived her as desperate; scrambling for ways for her to save her own skin, regardless of who she had to take down to get there. There was a small (very small) part of me that felt a little sorry for her as her existence must have been incredibly lonely.

This wasn't a book that I was able to binge. It required time and attention from me as there were so many details to keep track of and try to understand. I would definitely recommend reading both books in close succession, as I think the beginning of the book was slightly tainted for me by not remembering the first book. Otherwise, a fantastically gripping story, told through very clever writing.

Thank you so much to Faber & Faber for the ARC and opportunity to read this on NetGalley!

I reread The Plot in anticipation and will forever be a favourite read of mine. The way I squealed when I saw The Sequel was coming and the way I’m convinced there is now a third book coming excites me even more.

The Sequel contains the same twisty turns I read and loved in The Plot and while <spoiler> Anna didn’t get her comeuppance, I’m on the edge of my seat trying to work out how she’s going to pull herself out of this hole. Another book? TV show? Film? I don’t know what’s next but I’m ready for it ✌🏻</spoiler>

I can’t wait to get the audiobook and listen to The Plot again and reread this while listening to Julia Whelan narrates this! I have to also mention the ✨ingenious✨ cover designs on the Faber & Faber editions, it’s enough getting books the same size these days but when the covers call back to an earlier book I’m in AWE. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy and put them next to each other, SO COOL!

Thank you so much to Faber & Faber and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Sequel, it’s out now!!! #TheSequel #NetGalley

What a sequel!
If you haven’t read The Plot, id strongly recommend doing so before reading The Sequel. The book picks up almost immediately after the final events in the first book. Anna, now a widow , who has inherited her husband’s money and the management of his past works, has decided to write her own novel and immediately enjoys literary success. Her own secrets continue to chase her and someone is out there orchestrating her downfall.

I don’t want to post spoilers but this book is brilliantly paced with twist after twist after twist. Anna is a superb character who will stop at nothing to protect herself and the life she has carved out for herself. It’s rare but it happens and I think the book is stronger than the first in the series, I really hope there’s a third book.

As well as suspense and element, as a book lover, I really enjoyed reading a thriller set in the literary world, wildly entertaining as well as page turning.

Recommend wholeheartedly.

4.5 stars

'Sequels can be very enticing when the initial book has done well. Readers want to know what happens to the characters they've connected with'.

Anna Bonner Williams, tragically found herself the widow of literary wonder Jacob Finch Bonner but managed to articulate her loss in her very own book - now on its way to becoming a best-selling success. Anna may have had a questionable past but life seems to be smooth sailing now - easy even. However, when a mysterious note, with threatening undertones, appears amongst a pile of books to be signed at a book event, Anna's sense of self-preservation kicks into overdrive. As we discover more and more about her dubious background, a thrilling web is spun.

Although you can read The Sequel without having read the first book, The Plot, it's a disservice to the overall story. Too much of The Sequel builds upon a comprehensive understanding of the first book. To that end, giving away details of this book will spoil the first. Suffice to say though, that after drawing you in, there's brief plateau before turning into a wild thriller in the last quarter. I'm so glad I read the two back to back.

'The more she considered it, the more she understood that she'd been making fiction for longer than she'd been writing it, and fiction had taken her far from where she'd begun. She would hardly stop making it now'.

Outrageous, thrilling and disturbing with a lot of funny thrown in, this book is an acidic expose of the publishing world at the same time as being a deeply disturbing thriller with a very unreliable narrator. Anna is recently widowed and seemingly benefiting from her recently dead husband's literary fame as her moving account of his unfortunate suicide is picked up by publishers eager to cash in on a personal tragedy.

But not all - and not everyone - is what they seem, as histories are rewritten, narratives are offered from different perspectives, and the power the written word has to build up - and to destroy - in 'real life' is pursued to the limits.

I was gripped all the way through, the author plays with what you think is right and follows through to some absurd situations with revealing coincidences that drive the plot forward. I didn't read The Plot first, which comes before this sequel, but this book stands on its own without the need to have the background information that comes through at the start here.

Altogether very enjoying and very satisfying, with an ending that might just leave the door open for the sequel's own welcome sequel?

I loved reading The Plot so I was very excited for this one. I found this book to be just as captivating and intense as the previous one. I definitely felt hooked by this book and would urge anyone who has read the first one to read this asap.

I'm not sure if it's because I didn't read the first book "The Plot " or, although I love reading, I'm maybe not interested enough in the world of publishing and writing, but I couldn't get into this book at all or care about the characters. I realise I'm in the minority and can only wish the author well.
Thank you to netgalley and Faber and Faber for an advance copy of this book

Despite the name, I didn't realise there was a previous book! I think I would've enjoyed it more if I'd read that one, but still an enjoyable read. The style of writing was good and the plot intriguing.

I actually preferred this to its predecessor, The Plot. The narrative voice is stronger - or perhaps it's just more fun to be in Anna's mind than Jacob's! Yes, it gets a little repetitive, and in this as well as other ways it stretches credulity, but I ultimately didn't mind - I was happy to be along for the ride. Sociopaths are fun.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.